Federal High Court Fixes December 21 For Christmas Break, Names Vacation Judges

By NewsDesk –

The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced that its 2026 Christmas vacation will commence on Monday, December 21, 2026, and end on Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
The Chief Judge of the Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb. (UK), approved the vacation arrangement pursuant to Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

In a notice issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, and signed by the Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, the Court stated that regular sittings would resume nationwide on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.

The notice explained that only designated judicial divisions would remain operational during the vacation to provide essential judicial services to members of the public.

It further clarified that Vacation Judges would handle only specific urgent matters, including the enforcement of fundamental human rights, applications relating to the arrest or release of vessels, and other matters of urgent national importance, particularly the trial of pre-election cases.

The designated Vacation Judges and their respective judicial divisions are as follows:

ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION

Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo
Hon. Justice O. A. Egwuatu

LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION

Hon. Justice Akintayo Aluko
Hon. Justice Ogazi F. Nkemakonam

PORT HARCOURT JUDICIAL DIVISION

Hon. Justice P. M. Ayua
Hon. Justice A. T. Mohammed

ENUGU JUDICIAL DIVISION

Hon. Justice F. O. G. Ogunbanjo
Hon. Justice M. T. Segun-Bello

The Federal High Court noted that the designated judges would ensure the provision of essential judicial services throughout the vacation period, particularly in matters requiring urgent judicial intervention.

The Chief Judge also extended Christmas and New Year greetings to all judges and members of the Court, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.

The announcement is expected to guide litigants, legal practitioners and other court users in making necessary arrangements ahead of the festive season.

(Swift REPORTERS)